International Conference on Diaspora for Development, July 13-14, 2009

The Migration and Remittances team of the Development Economics Prospects Group and the Migration Working Group of the World Bank are organizing an International Conference on Diaspora and Developmenton July 13-14, 2009.

The diaspora of developing countries can be a potent force for development for their countries of origin, through remittances, but more importantly, through the promotion of trade, investments, knowledge and technology transfers. The conference aims to consolidate research and evidence on these issues with a view to formulating policies in both sending and receiving countries.

VisasParticipants are responsible for obtaining their passports and visas.

Security and Registration

IMPORTANT: Please bring a valid photo identification (U.S. Driver’s License or National Passport) to enter The World Bank’s buildings. Please use the 1818 H Street entrance (MC North) for July 13 and the entrance at 701 18th Street (J Building) for July 14. Proceed to the conference registration desk located in the lobby of the main building, where you will pick up your World Bank visitor pass and conference badge on July 13. All participants are required to hold on to your IDs to access the J Building on July 14.Note: World Bank employees do not need to register for the event.

Air TravelPayment of airline tickets is the responsibility of the participants. The Washington, DC area is served by three different airports. Visitors to the Washington, DC area may use all of the airports depending on their specific travel needs. Some airlines may offer better prices to/from one location than another. You may also find direct flights from one airport and not from another.Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, commonly known as National Airport, is located in Arlington County, Virginia and is the closest airport to downtown Washington, DC. National Airport is the most convenient of the area airports for visitors staying in the heart of the city and residents who live in the downtown area. The airport is accessible by Metro. During rush hour, National Airport can be difficult to get to, especially from the suburbs of Maryland and Virginia. A short runway limits the size of the aircraft that fly in and out of Washington (the largest is a 757), so the airport only offers domestic flights and a few flights to Canada and the Caribbean. For more information about Ronald Reagan National Airport, visithttp://www.metwashairports.com/National/

Dulles International Airport (IAD)Dulles International Airport is located approximately 26 miles from Washington, DC in Chantilly, Virginia. The airport is about a 40 minute drive from downtown Washington, DC in non-rush hour traffic. The Dulles Airport Access Road makes the airport easy to get to once you get off of I-495. Since Washington, DC traffic is often congested, you should plan ahead and avoid flight times near rush hour. Dulles Airport uses mobile lounges known as “people movers” to shuttle passengers from the terminal to the gates. This process can take extra time, so keep this in mind and be sure to give yourself enough time to get the gate. For more information about Dulles International Airport, visithttp://www.metwashairports.com/Dulles/

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is located south of Baltimore, North on I-95 toward Baltimore to I-195. Southwest Airlines has just built a new terminal here and offers lots of flights at lower prices than some of its competitors. The MARC and Amtrak train station is nearby offering train service to Union Station in Washington, DC. BWI is a test site for the Department of Homeland Security and is used to try out new airport security screening methods. As a result, sometimes the security lines can be quite long, so plan ahead for unexpected delays. For more information about Baltimore/Washington International Airport, visithttp://www.bwiairport.com.

Ground transportationPayment of ground transportation is the responsibility of the participants.

From Dulles International AirportTake a taxi directly to your hotel (approximate fare is $55) or, take an airport bus (approximate fare is $20) to the terminal in downtown Washington, D.C., from where you can take a taxi to the hotel at a cost of approximately $8, including tip.

From Ronald Reagan National AirportTake a taxi to your hotel in downtown Washington at a cost of approximately $15, including tip or, take the metro to downtown D.C. (Washington, D.C. has a very convenient and safe metro system). Take the blue line metro towards Addison Road. Get off at Foggy Bottom Metro Stop, which are only a few blocks from the World Bank and hotels.

From Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall AirportTake a taxi directly to your hotel (approximate fare is $70) or take a super shuttle bus (approximately $25) to downtown Washington, D.C.

Hotel arrangementsPayment of hotel accommodations, meals, and any other travel related expenses are the responsibility of the participants. You can find a list of hotels with a Bank-negotiated rate here, but it is not exhaustive.

Contacts

Inquiries regarding this meeting can be addressed by email and/or telephone to the following persons: